If anything perfectly represents the nature of the trend cycle, it's fashion's fascination with vintage bags. It seems like now more than ever, we are collectively obsessed with tapping into the past, revisiting old trends, and shopping second hand both online and in person. With house's like Prada, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga revamping and re-introducing iconic bag silhouettes, it's clear that consumers aren't the only ones with the past on our minds. While new bag shapes hit the scene regularly and, from time to time, achieve it-bag status, it's the vintage players that are the real heroes—they've managed to stand the test of time, after all.
The best vintage designer bags range from forever classic silhouettes from Chanel and the ultimate status symbol via Hermés to an early aughts game changer from Balenciaga and mid 2000s staples with distinct details from Chloé and Gucci—this is to say that the list we have put together is diverse. They do, though, all have one thing in common: all these years later, they are still very much worth investing in and are still very much in style.
Ahead, the 15 vintage designer bags that we have deemed the best of all time.
1. Fendi Baguette
Designed by Silvia Venturini Fendi and released in 1997, Fendi was inspired by French women who stroll while carrying a baguette under their arm. The style was embraced for its simple and practical silhouette, as well as for the convenience of a shoulder bag. Further popularized by Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & The City and stars like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Julia Roberts, and Paris Hilton, the bag quickly became an important addition the Fendi's catalogue—and remains as so.
Shop The Bag:
Fendi 2000-2010 Zucca Canvas Baguette
Fendi 20th Century Leather Baguette
Fendi Ponyhair Baguette
2. Balenciaga City Bag
Released by Nicolas Ghesquière in 2001, the bag was beloved for its edgy, grungy, motorcycle-inspired details—well, by some people. Stakeholders actually had little faith that the slouchy silhouette and distinct hardware would sell in a market where clean structured bags were flying off shelves. Retrospectively, with the City bag remaining a staple in the fashion world, they were clearly wrong.
Shop The Bag:
Balenciaga Leather Motocross Classic City
Balenciaga Leather Motocross City Giant
Balenciaga Leather City Bag
3. Chloé Paddington Bag
If we were focusing on crowning 2000's it-bags, the Chloé Paddington bag would arguably be number one on the list. Introduced by Phoebe Philo in 2005, the bag was beloved for its slouchy leather and signature padlock detail. The bag remains so beloved that it returned on the house's Fall/Winter 2025 runway. Now, stars like Rachel Sennott, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Alexa Chung, and Kendall Jenner have been spotted co-signing the style.
Shop The Bag:
Chloé Vintage Leather Paddington
Chloé 2000s Paddington Tote Bag
Chloé Leather Paddington
4. Gucci Indy Bag
I think it's safe to refer to the Gucci Indy bag as the boho bag of the mid-2000s. With distinct tassels, a relaxed hobo silhouette, and '70s inspirations, the bag launched in 2006 under Frida Giannini was seen on the arms of all of the it-girls of 2006 onward—Jennifer Lopez, Mischa Barton, Lindsay Lohan, and Blake Lively portraying Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl.
Shop The Bag:
Gucci Babouska GG Canvas Indy
Gucci Indy Bag
Gucci Indy Bag
5. YSL Mombasa
Debuting in Tom Ford's Spring/Summer 2002 collection for the house, it quickly became the it-bag of the early aughts primarily due to to its effortlessly slouch silhouette, horn handle, and generally practical nature. This year, Saint Laurent brought the iconic back in the form of a slightly upgraded crescent silhouette and with a campaign starring Bella Hadid. Don't worry, though—the bag is still slouchy and effortlessly cool.
Shop The Bag:
YSL Rive Gauche Leather Mombasa
YSL Pink Canvas Mombasa
YSL Red Mombasa
6. Gucci Jackie
Known for its crescent shape and practical size, the Gucci jackie bag made its original debut back in 1961 as the Constance bag. Beloved by Jackie Kennedy, hence the re-name, the hobo style was considered a bit radical at the time considering that structured bags were more on trend.
Shop The Bag:
Gucci GG Canvas Jackie Medium
Gucci Jackie 1961 Hobo Bag
Gucci Web Jackie
7. Prada Tessuto
First created by Miuccia Prada in 1978 (hitting the market in 1984), the bag was and still is available in a variety of silhouettes including backpacks, mini bags, and satchels. Prada's history with nylon is long and extensive but, all in all, the nylon Tessuto bags have been appreciated for their minimal appearance and slightly sporty aesthetic—so much so they the house launched the Re-Nylon Collection and re-introduced their iconic nylon bags in 2019.
Shop The Bag:
Prada Tessuto Nylon Shoulder Bag
Prada Tessuto Nylon Top Handle Bag
Prada Tessuto Nylon Shoulder Bag
8. Gucci Bamboo
First introduced in 1947 in response to material shortages, practical origins transformed into a fashion staple—a tale as old as time. Guccio Gucci used bamboo from Japan as bag handles and the rest is history. The house continues using bamboo as handles, a design detail co-singed by the likes of Princess Diana back in the day and Harry Styles more modernly.
Shop The Bag:
Gucci Bamboo Hobo Bag
Gucci GG Nylon Bamboo Shopper
Gucci Medium Leather Bamboo Diana Tote
9. Dior Saddle Bag
Dior's iconic saddle bag, designed by John Galliano, made waves in the early 2000s and remains considered the it-bag of the Y2K era. First debuting on the runway in Galliano's Spring/Summer 2000 collection, his equestrian inspirations were very clear. Seen on Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & The City and, more recently, everyone's favorite fashion girl Bella Hadid, the silhouette in both vintage and modern versions continues to hold its spot in the fashion zeitgeist.
Shop The Bag:
Dior Vintage Saddle Bag
Dior Canvas Saddle Bag
Dior Denim Mini Saddle Bag
10. Birkin Bag
We all know that the Birkin bag is the luxury bag to end all luxury bags. It's the ultimate status symbol and flex due to its hefty price tag. First created in 1984 after a serendipitous encounter between Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, the chief executive of Hermés at the time, it was the carryall bag of the '80s—and of all time.
Shop The Bag
Hermés Special Order Togo Birkin 35
Hermés Togo Birkin 35
Hermés Toile H & Togo Birkin 35
11. Dior Lady Bag
The Lady Dior bag was originally released in 1994 under the name "Chouchou"—it was renamed in 1996 in honor of Princess Diana who was frequently spotted carrying hers around. Known for its petite boxy silhouette, top handle, quilted leather, the house continues to release the bag that's a favorite for Sabrina Carpenter, Rihanna, Keke Palmer, Simone Biles, and so many more.
Shop The Bag:
Dior Large Patent Lady Satchel
Dior Diorissimo Medium Lady Bag
Dior 1997 Medium Lady Bag
12. Chanel Flap Bag
Perhaps the most classic bag of all! Coco Chanel launched the forever coveted flap bag, known for its quilted leather and chain strap, in February of 1955. At the time, it was considered revolutionary for the ability to wear it on the shoulder and free up a woman's hands. Then, in 1980s, Karl Lagerfeld the version with the iconic interlocking "CC" clasp. From then on, the flap bag has been a classic bag that has seen different versions and iterations.
Shop The Trend:
Chanel Classic Medium Double Flap Bag
Chanel Classic Lambskin Double Flap Bag
Chanel Bicolor Double Flap Bag
13. Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag
The Louis Vuitton Speedy bag has a long history—dating all the way back to 1930, actually. It was designed as a smaller version of the house's iconic Keepall bag, but was still large enough to practically suit all lifestyles. Iconic actress Audrey Hepburn requested that the house design an even smaller version and they delivered, leading to several practical size options. Nowadays, celebrity endorses include Bella Hadid, Rihanna, and Jacob Elordi.
Shop The Bag:
Louis Vuitton 2001 30 Speedy Monogram Tote Bag
Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 25
Louis Vuitton Monogram Speedy 30
14. Prada Bowling Bag
Originally introduced in Miuccia Prada's Spring/Summer 2000 collection in line with her "Sincere Chic" era, the bowling bag served as an homage to the sporty influences of the '50s. With bag trends constantly returning and a newfound affinity for the silhouette amongst the fashion community, it's not surprising that the house relaunched the bowling bag in the Resort 2020 collection.
Shop The Bag:
Prada Bowling Bag
Prada Enameled Bauletto
Prada Leather Bowling Bag
15. Louis Vuitton Pouchette
Introduced in the early '90s, Louis Vuitton's pochette is the cutest and daintiest of the bunch. Originally developed as a convenient pouch to carry essentials, it has resurged in line with the mini bag resurgence of the 2020's. Stars spotted with the vintage style include Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Hailey Bieber.
Shop The Bag:
Louis Vuitton Pochette
Louis Vuitton Multicolor Monogram Pochette
